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Walk About Magazine, is a northwest walking and hiking publication in Portland, Oregon.
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Contact us at: info@walkaboutmag.com, Portland, Oregon
With a broad, low platform and very appealing fit, the Rider has established itself as the standard of performance cushion. The Rider is “SmoothRide“ engineered, and has a Composite Parallel Wave Plate for superior shock absorption and dispersion. The Rider also maintains a good weight without skimping on the necessary cushioning to protect you from the roads and trails. The Rider is responsive and returns energy to promote acceleration and smooth transition. 
Offering a slightly lower profile and lugged outsole, the Cascadia looks and feels like it belongs off-road but has a fairly adaptive feel on any surface. The Cascadia has a supple upper that wraps the foot and provides a supportive feel without dictating to your foot its every move. The Cascadia doubles back as a great casual day hiker or dog-walking shoe. For the neutral walker, the Cascadia is versatile, aesthetically appealing (dark, outdoor designs), and very performance friendly.
This is simply the “feel good” shoe of the year. The Asics Gel Cumulus has a great fit, and nice, smooth transition, and a soft ride. The Cumulus scores big points for maintaining simplicity without skimping on substance. If you are neutral and enjoy a cushioned feel, the Gel Cumulus is for you. The only downside for the Cumulus is that is tends to be slightly heavier than comparable models in the neutral category. The Cumulus features “Twist” GEL Cushioning System, to enhance shock attenuation and improve toe-off. Stability technology includes the Space Trusstic System, Solyte Midsole material, and the gait optimization of ASICS Impact Guidance System. 
Sometimes “too soft” can dampen shock but steal valuable energy and add to fatigue or instability. With the Brooks Glycerin, this is simply not the case. The Glycerin’s responsive midsole lends itself to energy return. Although its initial feel may be firm, the overall appeal of the Glycerin is that it maintains its cushion for a very long period of time (perhaps 100-150 miles longer than other shoes we tested). The Glycerin is a plush shoe designed for the walker who has been searching for performance with a focus on cushion. 
At one half to two thirds the weight of other walking shoes, the Ronin is a great alternative to the more traditional, heavier, and higher profile walking shoes. Its lower profile will let you feel the road without exposing you to the elements. Some believe that a lower heel height will actually improve your posture and your walking efficiency. The Ronin is SmoothRide engineered, and has a Parallel Wave perfectly suited to the quick-transition style of a neutral gait walker or race walker.
Looking for a change? Perhaps you have already been walking for several years and you are injury free but you have reached a plateau? Try incorporating this minimalistic racing flat into your walk-week. Race walkers have long known that minimalistic shoes can maximize efficiency and lend themselves to increased pace. The Musha has a combination blown rubber/solid rubber forefoot outsole design for cushioning, durability, and flexibility.
Incorporating a Wave Plate with an enhanced medial post, the Elixir offers a very stable ride yet maintains its lightweight appeal. The Elixir may win our “stranded-on-a-desert-island” award. If you only had one shoe, the Elixir covers the go-fast needs of a race walker and provides enough stability for the gym goer or casual walker. It is SmoothRide engineered, and has a Composite Double Fan Wave that provides the perfect blend of support and cushioning 
Innovative, the Lunar Glide incorporates Dynamic Support. Nike has managed to remove some of the bulky, heavy plastics that help create traditional stability. The Dynamic Support system in the shoe’s midsole responds to a walker’s changing needs, constantly adapting the stride to deliver just the right amount of comfort and support. LunarLite cushioning provides excellent shock absorption for a responsive ride. A small wedge of firm foam on the backside of the midsole offers pronation support.
If you have been identified as someone needing “Pronation Control,“ but have found supportive shoes uncomfortable or too stiff, then the Supernova Sequence could bridge that gap between comfort and security. Our testers found that the Sequence provides ample support but feels smooth and flexible at the same time. If you have been stuck in Motion Control, the Sequence might give you traction to venture out into a more walkable category. FORMOTION stability and cushion technology adapts to the ground to ensure the smoothest, most comfortable walk possible. adiPRENE+ in the forefoot maintains propulsion and efficiency. A TORSION SYSTEM in the midfoot provides support and integrity.
Safe and durable, New Balance has maintained their standards of excellence in the 760. With a long medial post, and with a newly designed upper, the 760 is stable, supportive, and durable. With strategic shock absorption elements, especially in the heel strike area, the 760 is a great option for pronators looking for control and cushion. Using ABSORBZ cushioning material in the heel and forefoot, the 760 has exceptional shock absorption. A “Walking Strike Path” stabilizes the foot through the natural gait cycle. The N-Lock design feature provides an external support system that ensures the 760 pulls snugly around your midfoot.
An updated, more substantial medial post and a smooth lateral heel “crash pad” help reduce overpronation while maintaining a smooth transition through footstrike. On the women’s side, this update of the Zoom Structure Triax also features an improved, women’s-specific crash pad to better absorb shock at impact and moderate pronation, as well as a lighter-weight upper and a heel-strap overlay attached to the laces for great rearfoot lockdown and a secure fit.
This shoe is shaped like your foot. Saucony has what we refer to as the “spoon” fit. It has a narrow heel, a secure arch, and broad forefoot. Sound like any foot you know? The Omni features a support post that sits farther back toward the heel to better control overpronation and a thick memory-foam sockliner to soften each foot’s landing. Recommended for runners with low arches who need plenty of support. 
If you own an iPod Nano or have a newer generation iPhone or iTouch, you need to use the following Sport Kit.
